When my husband and I became parents 19 years ago, we decided that when it came to Christmas gifts, we would follow the three gift rule. As our family grew with two more kids, this tradition has continued to work for us. I can narrow my search down to a few, special gifts. There’s the occasional emphatic refusal. (No dear, you can’t get a pony.) But whenever possible, we … [Read more...]
Dear Santa: A Mom’s Christmas Wish List
Dear Santa: Hi, I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus in good health. I bet you’re wondering why a middle-aged married woman with two teenagers and a tween would feel compelled to write to you. After all it’s been quite a few years since I even really believed in you. (Sorry about that by the way.) But as I’ve been looking through catalogs and searching … [Read more...]
Yes Kathy, There is a Santa Claus
For as long as I can remember, Santa Claus has been an active participant in my family’s Christmas tradition. My parents were really big on the magic of the season, and they went to elaborate lengths to make the holiday special for my two sisters and me. This included a personal visit from the big man himself. Each year after the early children’s Christmas Eve … [Read more...]
Praying for a Christmas Miracle
The other day, as the kids and I were driving home from picking up Tom from his after-school club, my youngest said, “Mom, there’s another baby Jesus,” referring to a manger scene on someone’s front lawn. “Oh, that’s great. How many does that make this trip?” “That’s three. Oh, I just saw another one. Four.” “Four, that’s good. I wonder how many more we can find … [Read more...]
The Joy of Christmas and the Three Gift Rule
I remember how much my parents loved Christmas and made sure to make it extra special for my sisters and me. My mother made a gingerbread house each year and painted a holiday scene on the front storm door. My dad dressed up as Santa, and my mother threw pebbles on the roof to sound like reindeer hoofs. These people didn’t fool around. Of course the big event was when my … [Read more...]
